"It was a hard task."
As there were now two to use their strength in lifting, Aunt Peggy, Eva, and Maggie had but to grasp the support, when they were drawn up without any effort on their own part. Habakkuk came last, and he tried so hard to assist, that it may be said he went up feet first, sawing the air so vigorously with his legs that they appeared on the ledge before his body reached it.
But the fugitives were all there at last, and something like genuine hope began to stir every member of the company.
"Now," said Fred, "we have the same experience to go through, and we shall reach solid ground above. I will go up as before."
Only a small part of the moonlight found its way to the spot where they were crouching, and they felt it would not do to stay longer.
Slowly and carefully Fred went up the rocks, and all saw him safely reach the level ground, where he vanished.
At the instant he did so they caught a peculiar sound, as though a slight struggle was going on, but it instantly ceased, and, though the friends were alarmed, they said nothing, thinking that perhaps Fred had stumbled over some obstruction in the dark.
"St, st!"